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Page 4, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday. August 2, 1995 Wvelfare'm rom challeniges Wvhitby MPP FR OM PAGE 1 ducks as well as rabbits and goats - the latter for milking, the former> for eating. Ini addition, an extensive garden produces more tian enough vegetables ta feed the family in season and allow McCauley to freeze and can an ample supply for the winter months. "iglit now 1 can sustain myself. ]Pm not at the comfrtable level, but at least I can get by," she said. But when lier benefits decrease, McCauley does not know how she will manage. "Riglit now my rent is almost $700 and heating casts $150," she said. "That will leave me $100 per month for everything. .. food, animal feed, car insurance. ..it doesn't work out. 1 would have to make -up $264 to get back to where 1 arn know." McCauley now has about $200 left after ail the bills are paid, but that is only because she produces most of lier own food. 'My son is not in basebaîl or hockey and he's neyer been ta, a movie" she said. "Even on the income we're on now it's very difficult and we have to watcli every cent. I don't know whates going ta happen when we're cut back." While she was upset enougli after learning the details of the welfare reduction, McCauley became inoensed upon reading Flaherty's defence of the governments action ini last week's Free Press. Flaherty noted that social assistance benefits are tax-free, most welfare recipients live in rent-geared-to-income housing and that children receive a clothing allowance. Ini rebutting Flaherty's observations, McCauley saiil the clothing allowance is an extra $50 to $60 te outfit the child for sehool. "When was the last time lie bought a pair of shoes?" she wondered. As for welfare recipients living in housing priced according ta their income, McCauley said the Tory government is cornmitted ta ending non-profit housing and lifting rent controls. "You rip away $300 from a person and let-1andlords charge what they want. Where does that leave us? In a tent?" she asked. On the issue of. taxes, McCauley conceded Flaherty bis point. "But ifyou don't make enougli money to pay taxes, how can you?" she asked, adding that welfare recipients pay taxes "every time we buy something at the store." "Maybe he (Flaherty) should be asked ta live on $957 a month and see how lie can manage." (Flaherty was not available for immediate comment.) McCauley agreed that the government must get its spending under control and admitted that some people are abusin the system. But she said the government must look at every case on an individual basis, not cut benefits acrosa the board.' "People thinkr we're living high off the hog and tliat's ridiculous. Everything I have I worked for, it's only been tlie last whule that rve needed help." Having been employed in a variety of office, sales and factory jobs before lier son was born, McCauley lias been collecting mother's ailowance since the boy's father left four years ago. She reoeives no financial help from the father and does not know where to find him. McCauley suggested that the government should make more of an effort at tracking down deadbeat dada rather than the approach it lias taken. wMaybe that's where they should be spending their maney. But no, they pick on the easiest targets." B13ood donors wanted MetLife will hold the second annual blood donor clinic on Monday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 133 Brock St. N., Whitby. For more information, cail Jason at 430-3052. DEBBIE MCCAULEY tends to her goats atlowance benefits reduced on Oct. 1,- bas Elfie and Jasmine on her Brookin-area challenged MPP Jim Flaherty to live on the farm. McCauley, who wiII see her mother's $957 she witI now be coltecting. Photo by Mke Kowalskl, Whltby Free Press 4 linjured in crash Four people were hurt, three seriously, in a collision between two vehicles at Thickson Road and Victoria Street late Sunday afternoon. Police say a 1984 Chevette driven by Nigel Modeste, 28, of Oshawa collided with a 1993 Chevy Lumnina van driven by Timothy Chretien, 30, also of Oshawa around 5:30 p.m. Chretien, who was atone in the van, was not injured but four of the five occupants in the Chevette were taken ta Oshawa General Hospital. Modeste was treated and released. A passenger, Carnie Dacpano, 25, of Oshawa suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs and is stili in hospital. A five-year-old boy had a broken collarbone and a 15-year-old teen sustained *abdominal -injuries. Bath have been released from hospital. A nine-yeair-old child, also in the car, was not hurt. Police say charges are pending in the accident, which is being investigated 'by the traffic management unit. They ask witnesses te cail them at 579-1520, ext. 267. ~{ BROKLINt9}0 The -'second' By Steve Leahy Moving vans in increasing numbers have been out and about as "the new people" begin ta move in. After 30 or more years of waiting, the wide, dusty streets of the Village of Brooklin housing development are showing signa of life. The newcomers are anrious te become part of the community they believe was worth maving ta. It may be diffitult for many of the "real Brooklin people," as one newcomer calîs us, ta get used te, so many new faces, new ideas and new attitudes. And there wiil be conflicta and problems - overcrowded schools and other facilities. But te blame newcomers is dead wrong. They were encouraged - make that, begged - te came and live in Brooklin by the developer and, indirectly, by the Town of Whitby. "If you bulld it, they will came." And they are here among us, facing the same problems we are. It will take everyone workcing tagether ta salve them. WAGONS HO Wednesday, Aug. 16, from 6:30 te, 9:30 p.m., joîn a friendly group of adventurers on wagon rides througli Heber Down Conservation Area. After the ride, everyone can roast marshmallows around a campfire. There are few nicer ways ta enjoy the great outdoors than sitting by a campfire, enjoying the niglit air, the sparkling stars and singing some old favaurites. Bring your guitar, a thermos of iliage hot chocolate, lawn chairs and blankets. And if it looks ta, be a clear niglit, bringl your binoculars te, get an amazing close-up view of the starry sky. BROOKLIN BRANCH UNE.- Up With August already here - it does go fast - the Brooklin Brandi libry still las another full monti of programs on Tuesdays and Wenesdays from 2 ta 3 p.m'. Tuesdays are the "Favourites of Mmid Reading Club" hour and include movies. Wednesdays otter different theme and activity days for all kids aged four and up. For more information all 655- 3191. The library is closed Monday, Aug. 7 for the Civic holiday. DONATIONS FOR BOSNIA The Salvation Army in Whitby is accepting donations to help the refugees of Bosnia. Donations can be dropped off in fr-ont of the Salvation Army Thrift Store, 225 Brock St. N., on Saturday, Aug. 5. BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School will be held at Hebron Christian Reformned Ohurcli, 407 Crawforth, St., Whitby Aug. 14-18, 9:30 to, 11:30 a.m., for those aged four to 12. There will be crafts, singing and bible stories. For more information or ta, register, caîl Sadie at 725-2366, Mary at 725-2412 or the churcli at 668-5141. SONGWRJ7FING A sonw-nng wo rkshop, with Bryan Wifliston, will bé held on Wednesday Aug. 9, 2:30 to 3:30 p.în., for t h ose aged nine ta 12. Rmegister by calling the library. DURHIAM PC USEIRS The Durham PC User's Club supports local computer enthusiasta with monthly meetings every second Thursday of every month. The next meeting will be on Aug. 10, 7 ta 10 p.m., at the CAW Local 222 Hall, 1425 Phillip Murray Ave., Oshawa. There will be a presentation by Rab Adams of NetRover Inc. Admission is free. For more information, cal Allan Hewitt at (905)723-3179, or Linda Netten at (905) 623-2787. KWWIERS The Wniters? Circle of Durham Region (WCDR) -offers a progrm for young writers between ages eight and il on Thursday mornings, Aug. 10, 17, 24, 31, 10 te 11:30 a.m., at Ajax Public Library, main branch. Cost is $40. For more information, oel 686-2085. .,,,WHISTLE STOP AT MYRTLE STATION STOP655m3541 Bread Tarts e Cookies HOME MADE BAKING Orjust treat the family to ice cream cones where you get more for your hard earned dollar!